Police: Women arrested in Chicago airport with $3M in drugs in luggage

CHICAGO, May 11 (Reuters) - Three women were arrested at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport with more than $3 million of heroin and opium in their luggage, and were due to appear in court for a bond hearing on Wednesday, police said.

The three - Pa Yang, 57, Mai Vue Vang, 58, and True Thao, 52, all from Minnesota - had arrived on Tuesday on a flight from Japan, the Chicago Police Department said in a statement.

During a screening of passengers, U. S. Customs and Border Protection agents discovered 70 pounds (32 kg) of heroin and opium in numerous small packets in the women's luggage, police said.

The women each face one felony count of possession with intent to deliver, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. The charge is punishable by 15 to 60 years in prison.

The women are scheduled to appear at 1:30 pm local time for a bond hearing.

State's Attorney's spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said she did not know if the women had an attorney yet.